China using Taiwan to gain more control, isolate India, Japan
What's the story
China will turn Taiwan into a major nuclear and conventional military base and use it to gain more control over the disputed South China Sea to "isolate" both India and Japan, warned Richard D Fisher of the International Assessment and Strategy Center yesterday.
He told US lawmakers that Beijing had a new strategy for gaining eventual global military access called "debt trap diplomacy".
Military and Tech
Fisher anticipates China's military growth and technological development
Concerned over China's military growth, Fisher says that by the 2030s, the Chinese Air Force air mobile projection could be based on 100 to 200 large C-17 size Xian Y-20 heavy transports.
China is assembling a power-projection Navy that, by the 2030s, may have the world's first totally nuclear-powered carrier battle group and an initial amphibious projection of about 12 large ships, Fisher added.
China, a threat
China may now be the foremost threat to American security
Congressman Devin Nunes, Chairman House Intelligence Committee, said that previous attempts to appease China had failed to improve the bilateral relations and it may now be the pre-eminent threat to American security.
"From its One Belt Road initiative to its unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, China is using its economic and military power to subvert international norms" he added.
BRI
BRI, example of China's economic growth: Congressman Schiff
China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) seeks to build rail, maritime and road links from Asia to Europe and Africa in a revival of ancient Silk Road trading routes.
Ranking Member Congressman Adam Schiff said China's military growth had taken place alongside the Belt and Road initiative.
He added that China is leading in economic engagement with the BRI and the Asia Infrastructure Bank.
African investment
China's African investments and protection of economic and strategic interests
The Chinese Army base in Djibouti follows decades of Chinese investment in diplomacy in Africa and increasing oil imports by China, much of which passes through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait between Djibouti and Yemen, Schiff said.
"Similarly, Beijing's militarization of the South China Sea reflects a deliberate approach to protect Chinese economic and strategic interests predated on island reclamation effort and buildup there," he added.
South Asia claims
Fisher talks about China's claims over South Asia
Fisher talks about China's recent ownership of a new large port in Sri Lanka by debt default making Vanuatu, Pakistan, Thailand, and others vulnerable.
China had laid claims on almost all of the South China Sea and the Senkaku islands and had to aggressive patrols in the last two years.
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have, however, counterclaims over the waterway.
Contrary opinions
BRI will never achieve a Silk Road: Dan Blumenthal
Dan Blumenthal from the American Enterprise Institute said under the BRI major constructions were going to places like Pakistan and Bangladesh, which will provide outlets for China into the Indian Ocean without going through the US-dominated areas.
"The BRI, in my view, will never achieve a Silk Road. But, through targeted investments, China will gain a lot in terms of access," he said.